Aleks sits down with Isabel Ettedgui, owner of Connolly England, a discreet British brand with a reputation for timeless design. It was founded in 1878 as a coach hood maker’s makers and saddler. Isabel spotted Connolly’s potential to be a successful retail brand in the 1990s, and has transformed Connolly into a modern British fashion house, synonymous with luxurious and versatile menswear.

We sat down to unpack what makes Connolly unique today, how Isabel has built and rebuilt the brand over the years, and why independent retailers need supporting today now more than ever.

---

HandCut Radio is produced in collaboration with Birch, a London and New York based creative agency. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.

---

Show Notes

Connolly — Instagram | Website 

[2:29] Joseph Ettedgui
[3:15] Connolly Leather
[3:20] The First Rolls Royce
[4:10] RMS Queen Mary Ship
[4:17] King George’s ‘Gold State Coach’
[5:07] Jaguar E-Type, Petrolicious
[5:45] Andrée Putman
[5:48] Ross Lovegrove
[6:40] Deyan Sudjic
[13:03] Jaguar E-Type Limited Edition (x6)
[16:31] Nicholas Foulkes
[20:13] Marc Audibet

In this episode, Aleks sits down to chat with two of British menswear’s most interesting personalities, Tony Madsen-Sylvester, and Scott Fraser Simpson.

Tony is a writer, musician, and a content creator for modern British tailoring house, Timothy Everest. Scott is a DJ, vintage collector and the founder of Scott Fraser Collection, a brand that makes modern menswear inspired by mid-century and vintage clothing.

Both are known for their eclectic personal style, and for their impressive understanding of different menswear traditions. We talk to them about their own journeys of discovery, how sub-cultures influence fashion, and how to get comfortable with your own sense of personal style.

This was a hoot to record, so buckle up for a relaxed, free-flowing chat with lots of wisdom from Tony and Scott, recorded – of all places – in Aleks’s flat…

---

HandCut Radio is produced in collaboration with Birch, a London and New York based creative agency. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.

---

Show Notes

Tony Madsen-Sylvester — Instagram
Scott Fraser Simpson — Instagram | Website

[9:00] Sprezzatura
[9:12] #pittiuomo
[11.36] Ethan Newton
[11:40] Simon Crompton
[11:45] Milad Abedi
[14:50] Grenson
[20:21] Batfink
[20:56] Scott’s Vespa
[22:22] Scott’s Royal Enfield
[23:32] Scott Fraser Collection
[29:22] Levis Vintage
[29:28] JOSEPH
[29:38] Drake’s
[30:17] Armani
[32:47] Stone Island
[33:39] Camoshita, United Arrows
[35:27] #britishtrad
[35:51] Timothy Everest
[35:55] Timothy Everest for The Crown (TV Series)
[37:13] Rocketman, Elton John Biopic
[37:17] Tommy Nutter
[38:41] Pitti Uomo
[39:22] Gianni Agnelli
[42:16] Goodfellas (Film, 1990)
[42:26] John Smedley
[42:54] Rat Pack
[44:48] L’Etiquette Magazine, Paris
[45:20] Free & Easy Magazine, Japan

Simon Crompton needs no introduction. In classic style circles he’s a household name; the founder of renowned men’s style website, Permanent Style. Simon’s built his online following over a period of 11 years, to the point where the website is now his full time occupation; delivering authoritative advice on the work of independent brands and craftspeople, as well as in-depth style advice articles for menswear fans.

In this episode, he talks about his decision to go full-time and his role as a menswear reviewer. We also explore some of the problems facing mainstream men’s lifestyle magazines today, and the problematic balance between commercial content and editorial. Finally, Simon goes to town on influencer culture, and the over-saturation of Instagram content in menswear.

HandCut Radio is produced in collaboration with Birch, a London and New York based creative agency. Our theme music is by Joe Boyd.

Show Notes
Simon Crompton — Instagram | Website
[2:26] Why I Quit My Job, Permanent Style
[4:43] Henry Poole
[4:45] Huntsman
[4:46] Simon’s Most Recent Huntsman Tweed Jacket
[5:14] Marks & Spencers Tailoring
[6:05] Richard Anderson
[7:21] How To Spend It
[7:25] Robb Report
[8:20] Hackett Bespoke
[8:27] Paul Smith Bespoke
[8:31] Armani MTM
[8:40] John Galliano
[8:43] Anderson & Sheppard
[8:58] Michael Browne
[12:19] The Jackal Magazine
[12:35] Evening Standard Magazine
[17:40] Drake’s Herringbone Cotton Chino
[19:31] Best Lookbook 2019: Drake’s
[22:36] 1m Readers on Permanent Style
[23:54] Permanent Style Shop
[25:45] Trunk Shows on Permanent Style
[33:42] Lil Miquela, Fake Influencer
[34:06] Nano Influencers
[35:09] Ethan Newton
[35:10] Brycelands
[39:13] Tribes, Seth Godin
[42:08] Drake’s
[42:25] Private White
[42:38] Connolly
[42:56] Stòffa
[43:02]

There’s a new podcast coming we think you’ll like… Aleks introduces Season One of HandCut Radio and hints at some of the podcast’s debates, interviews and guests to come.

Whether the power and problems of social media, the challenges of growing and protecting small businesses, or bolstering the embattled magazine market, Season One presents 10 interviews with prominent figures of the British menswear scene.

We tell their stories, air their views and debate social and commercial issues that affect everyone in the fashion industry today, and beyond.

Season One launches on 1st of May 2019. Subscribe today and you’ll never miss an episode.